Kangaroo Tooth Lacerator

inveterate · 1st September 2010, 11:32 AM

Ron, The little I know about these weapons points their manufacture to the central desert regions..if that was correct I guess the Shark teeth would have to come as trade items...but of course so little is known of these very rare implements the whole location thing could be wrong and they could be coastal...a real mystery..whatever the answer an outstanding and rare piece. Rod

Tim Simmons · 1st September 2010, 04:57 PM

I spent some time investigating the Aboriginal flint trade. Trade sytems in Aus were extensive, no reason why shark teeth did not reach the central regions. The flint was traded through Cape York and traded far into the Melanesian world.

Also as mentioned earlier various teeth like ivory could be ground into a slicing triangle. One of these knives could be held in a belt/waist band and used at close quater. It might be small but if one was slashed with force across your face or any part of a naked body, it is going to shake your confidence some what.

Love the knife Ron. I am going to have to hunt one.

Tim Simmons · 1st September 2010, 05:22 PM

Not Aus, Admiralty Islands sting ray dagger 46cm collected 1899 from "Admiralty Islands Art From The South Seas, museum Rietberg Zurich"

I want one, need one, probably will never have one

++GOOD

fearn · 2nd September 2010, 05:00 PM

I'm with everyone who says those are sharks teeth.

The other thing I'd question is the "kangaroo dung as glue." Not that I'm a specialist, but kangaroos are herbivores, and their poop is more like that of a cow. When dry, it's fibrous enough to use as tinder for fire starting and even as a paper additive.

My guess is some sort of dung. Many aboriginal knife handles are made from molded spinifex gum, and that's what I suspect that's what was used here to fix the teeth.

Best,

F

Ron Anderson · 2nd September 2010, 11:55 PM

Hi Fearn

This is not spinifex. It is a completely different composition. That's something that may not be clear in the photographs. However, until I master this new camera of mine, you'll simply need to accept my assurances on that.

I will try provide a more accurate photo soon.

I sourced a very interesting description how these knives – or at least, Taap knives, which are essentially the same – are made. It involves kangaroo dung put through a certain process. It is not kangaroo dung on its own. That knowledge and craftsmanship has not been lost entirely and there are people who still employ these techniques when making Taap knives.

When looking at the knife, and specifically the mound into which the teeth have been placed, there are actually threads of grass still there from the kangaroo dung.

The reason you might believe this is just spinifex is that this is a very rare implement and you probably have never come across anything like it. I will try source the description of how these items are made and post it later.

Regards
Ron

fearn · 3rd September 2010, 01:17 AM

Ron,

You're certainly right, and I didn't see the grass fibers around there.

Best,

F

Ron Anderson · 3rd September 2010, 03:10 AM

Hi Fearn

I found this information online regarding the manufacture of a taap knife. A taap knife is very much like this knife except slabs of stone are used instead of teeth:

A taap is a Nyungar knife.

It was made by very clever Nyungar people using materials gathered from the balga (grass tree resin) When grass trees are burnt or are open to strong light, resin from the trunk responds to the heat and runs down the side of the tree to the bottom. When it is ground up, it becomes very volatile.

Kangaroo (yonga) faeces (goona) were collected and dried. As the yonga only eats grass, what comes out is refined grass that lasts a long time.

The third ingredient is charcoal.

If 50% of balga resin is ground up and mixed with 25% yonga goona and 25% charcoal, a chemical reaction takes place when the mixture is placed over heat or fire (kaarla). The balga resin melts, the charcoal ignites and the goona binds the resin.

A small boorn (stick) is heated and then rolled in the mixture which sticks to the boorn. When enough mixture is gathered on the boorn a small quartz stone chip is used as the blade.

The taap is used for cutting up meat, skinning kangaroos, possums (koomal) and wallabies (kwirr).

1st September 2010, 05:22 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Animal bits. Not Aus, Admiralty Islands sting ray dagger 46cm collected 1899 from "Admiralty Islands Art From The South Seas, museum Rietberg Zurich" I want one, need one, probably will never have one ++GOOD Attached Images

1st September 2010, 11:32 AM	#1
inveterate Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 58	Ron, The little I know about these weapons points their manufacture to the central desert regions..if that was correct I guess the Shark teeth would have to come as trade items...but of course so little is known of these very rare implements the whole location thing could be wrong and they could be coastal...a real mystery..whatever the answer an outstanding and rare piece. Rod

1st September 2010, 04:57 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	I spent some time investigating the Aboriginal flint trade. Trade sytems in Aus were extensive, no reason why shark teeth did not reach the central regions. The flint was traded through Cape York and traded far into the Melanesian world. Also as mentioned earlier various teeth like ivory could be ground into a slicing triangle. One of these knives could be held in a belt/waist band and used at close quater. It might be small but if one was slashed with force across your face or any part of a naked body, it is going to shake your confidence some what. Love the knife Ron. I am going to have to hunt one.

2nd September 2010, 05:00 PM	#4
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	I'm with everyone who says those are sharks teeth. The other thing I'd question is the "kangaroo dung as glue." Not that I'm a specialist, but kangaroos are herbivores, and their poop is more like that of a cow. When dry, it's fibrous enough to use as tinder for fire starting and even as a paper additive. My guess is some sort of dung. Many aboriginal knife handles are made from molded spinifex gum, and that's what I suspect that's what was used here to fix the teeth. Best, F

2nd September 2010, 11:55 PM	#5
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Hi Fearn This is not spinifex. It is a completely different composition. That's something that may not be clear in the photographs. However, until I master this new camera of mine, you'll simply need to accept my assurances on that. I will try provide a more accurate photo soon. I sourced a very interesting description how these knives – or at least, Taap knives, which are essentially the same – are made. It involves kangaroo dung put through a certain process. It is not kangaroo dung on its own. That knowledge and craftsmanship has not been lost entirely and there are people who still employ these techniques when making Taap knives. When looking at the knife, and specifically the mound into which the teeth have been placed, there are actually threads of grass still there from the kangaroo dung. The reason you might believe this is just spinifex is that this is a very rare implement and you probably have never come across anything like it. I will try source the description of how these items are made and post it later. Regards Ron

3rd September 2010, 01:17 AM	#6
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Ron, You're certainly right, and I didn't see the grass fibers around there. Best, F

3rd September 2010, 03:10 AM	#7
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Hi Fearn I found this information online regarding the manufacture of a taap knife. A taap knife is very much like this knife except slabs of stone are used instead of teeth: A taap is a Nyungar knife. It was made by very clever Nyungar people using materials gathered from the balga (grass tree resin) When grass trees are burnt or are open to strong light, resin from the trunk responds to the heat and runs down the side of the tree to the bottom. When it is ground up, it becomes very volatile. Kangaroo (yonga) faeces (goona) were collected and dried. As the yonga only eats grass, what comes out is refined grass that lasts a long time. The third ingredient is charcoal. If 50% of balga resin is ground up and mixed with 25% yonga goona and 25% charcoal, a chemical reaction takes place when the mixture is placed over heat or fire (kaarla). The balga resin melts, the charcoal ignites and the goona binds the resin. A small boorn (stick) is heated and then rolled in the mixture which sticks to the boorn. When enough mixture is gathered on the boorn a small quartz stone chip is used as the blade. The taap is used for cutting up meat, skinning kangaroos, possums (koomal) and wallabies (kwirr).